Chicken, Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew brings the rich, complex flavors of West African cuisine to your kitchen with a hearty dish that’s both exotic and deeply comforting. This aromatic stew combines tender chunks of chicken with creamy sweet potatoes and a luxurious peanut butter base, creating layers of flavor that are both familiar and wonderfully different. What makes this stew truly special is how the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes balances the rich, nutty depth of peanut butter, while warm spices like ginger, cumin, and coriander add complexity without overwhelming heat. The result is a thick, satisfying stew that’s protein-rich, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful – the kind of one-pot meal that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas and leaves everyone asking for the recipe. This dish serves 6-8 people generously and takes about 1 hour from start to finish, making it perfect for weekend cooking or meal prep when you want something substantial and soul-warming.
Chicken and Base Ingredients
For this nourishing African-inspired stew:
- 3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks, skin removed
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
Peanut and Spice Elements
For the signature African flavors:
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Fresh Finishing Ingredients
To complete this authentic stew:
- 4 cups fresh spinach or collard greens, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice for serving
- Hot sauce on the side
Preparing the Chicken
Start by patting the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels and seasoning them generously with salt and pepper. Removing the skin reduces the fat content while still keeping the meat moist and flavorful during the long cooking process.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces in batches, about 4-5 minutes per side, until they develop a golden crust. Don’t overcrowd the pot – this ensures proper browning and better flavor development.
Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and set aside. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this point since it will finish cooking in the stew. The browning process creates fond on the bottom of the pot, which will add incredible depth to the final dish.
Building the Aromatic Base
Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion to the same pot, cooking in the remaining oil and chicken drippings for 5-6 minutes until softened and lightly golden. The onions should absorb all those delicious browned bits from the chicken.
Add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. The combination of garlic and fresh ginger creates the aromatic foundation that’s essential to authentic West African flavors.
Stir in the diced red bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. The bell pepper adds sweetness and color while contributing to the overall vegetable base of the stew.
Adding Spices and Depth
Add the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This caramelizes the tomato paste and concentrates its flavor, adding richness and helping to build the complex sauce base.
Stir in all the ground spices – cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne – cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. The spices should bloom in the hot oil, releasing their essential oils and creating an incredibly aromatic base.
Creating the Peanut Base
Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These caramelized pieces add tremendous flavor to the finished stew, so make sure to incorporate them well.
In a small bowl, whisk the peanut butter with about 1 cup of the chicken broth until smooth. This prevents the peanut butter from clumping when added to the hot stew and ensures it incorporates evenly throughout the dish.
Pour the peanut butter mixture into the pot along with the remaining chicken broth and bay leaves. Stir everything together until well combined and bring to a gentle simmer.
Long, Slow Cooking
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the liquid. The chicken should be mostly covered – add more broth or water if needed. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially.
Simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The chicken should be getting tender and the flavors should be melding together beautifully. The stew will gradually thicken as it cooks.
Adding the Sweet Potatoes
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot, stirring gently to distribute them evenly. The sweet potatoes will help thicken the stew naturally while adding their own sweet, earthy flavors that complement the peanut base perfectly.
Continue simmering, covered, for another 15-20 minutes until both the chicken and sweet potatoes are completely tender. The chicken should be falling off the bone, and the sweet potatoes should be soft but still holding their shape.
Final Adjustments
Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional spices as needed. The flavors should be rich and complex, with a good balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy notes.
If the stew is too thick, add more broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce and thicken. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Adding Fresh Elements
Stir in the chopped spinach or collard greens and cook just until they wilt, about 2-3 minutes. The greens add color, nutrition, and a fresh element that balances the rich peanut base.
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the lime juice, which brightens all the flavors and adds a fresh, acidic note that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter.
Serving Your African-Inspired Creation
Serve the stew hot over cooked rice, which helps absorb the flavorful sauce and makes the meal more substantial. Jasmine or basmati rice work particularly well, though any long-grain rice is perfect.
Garnish each bowl with chopped fresh cilantro and roasted peanuts for extra texture and flavor. The peanuts add crunch and reinforce the nutty flavors in the stew, while the cilantro provides fresh herb brightness.
Traditional Accompaniments
Provide hot sauce on the side for those who want extra heat – African pepper sauces like harissa or peri-peri are traditional, but any hot sauce will work. Some diners prefer extra lime wedges for additional brightness.
In West Africa, this type of stew is often served with fufu, plantains, or yams, so feel free to experiment with different starches based on your preferences and what’s available.
Make-Ahead and Storage
This stew actually improves in flavor over time, making it perfect for meal prep or advance cooking. It can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months.
When reheating, add a splash of broth or water if the stew has thickened too much. The peanut butter base means it will thicken considerably as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems thin when hot.
Nutritional Benefits and Variations
This stew is incredibly nutritious, packed with protein from the chicken, complex carbohydrates from the sweet potatoes, healthy fats from the peanut butter, and vitamins from the vegetables and greens.
For variations, try using different vegetables like butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes, or add okra for a more traditional West African touch. The recipe also works well with beef or lamb for different flavor profiles.
Cultural Context
This type of stew reflects the rich culinary traditions of West Africa, where peanuts (groundnuts) are a staple ingredient. Similar dishes are found throughout the region, each with local variations and ingredients, but all sharing the common theme of rich, peanut-based sauces that are both nourishing and deeply satisfying.
This Chicken, Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew represents the best of global comfort food – it’s hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying while introducing your palate to the wonderful world of African cuisine. Every spoonful delivers layers of complex flavors that are both exotic and comfortingly familiar, proving that the best dishes often come from culinary traditions that prioritize both nutrition and incredible taste. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together around the table, encouraging seconds and creating lasting memories of great food shared with loved ones.
